Latch operating mechanism



Aug. 2, 1938. J. L. OLDHAM LATCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed June 3, 1937 in l w I @ldham 0 m,

Jam Lomdale I M m Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE In Great Britain 15 Claims.

This invention relates to latch operating mechanism of the kind including a sliding latch bar spring urged into its projected position and adapted to be retracted against the spring pressure by an arm or member on a latch spindle mounted for. movement on its own axis and a movable pawl or locking member having a part which can be moved into engagement with a notch or projection in or on a member rotatable with the latch spindle whereby the latter can be locked against rotation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple mechanism for locking the latch spindle against rotation, so that if the door or other member to which the latch is applied is closed, the projecting latch operates as a lock since it cannot be moved into the withdrawn position until the pawl or looking member has first been released.

The latch spindle may have a washer nonrotatably mounted thereon, this washer being formed with a projection adapted for engagement by the said arm or pawl and also adapted for co-operation with stops on the supporting pawl broken away and with the pawl in its released position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the pawl in its locking position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view in side elevation.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan.

In the construction illustrated, the supporting plate I is provided with a bearing portion 2 in whichis located a cylindrical part 3 associated with a latch spindle 4 of square or other noncir'cular section.

The usual operating handle 5 is provided on the latch spindle at the outer end of the cylindrical part 3 and on the outer side of the supporting plate I, whilst at its other or inner end thecylindrical part 3 is provided with a flat 6.

,A washer I is mounted on the inner end of the part3 and on the inner side of the plate I, this washer having a hole with a fiat engaging the flat 6. The washer I has a radial projection 8 which is adapted tooperate between two stop pins 9 and I mounted on the inner side of the plate I, so as to limit the turning movement of the latch spindle. The washer 1 may be retained in position byany suitable means such as a split pin I9.

means of, a spring, and the mechanical connec- November '28, 1936 tion between the latch bar and the latch spindle is such that the pressure of this spring also acts upon the latch spindle 4 and tends to keep it in the position shown in Figure 3 with the projection 8 in contact with the stop pin I0.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide means for retaining the latch spindle in this position and such means comprise a rigid plate II and a resilient or spring plate I2, both mounted with slight clearance on the pivot pin I3 which is riveted into the supporting plate I.

An operating stud or pin I4 is provided for the plates II. and I2, and this pin or stud I4 extends through a clearance hole in the rigid plate II and is riveted to the spring plate I2. Further, the pin or stud I4 extends through an arcuate slot I5 in the plate I, and on the outer side thereof is provided with a finger piece I6 whereby it may be moved.

The finger piece [6 has an enlarged integral flange 20 which, in any position of the finger piece, closes the slot I5 so as to prevent entry of dirt to the lock mechanism. The pressure of the spring plate I2 holds the flange 2B firmly against the outer side of the plate I.

On its one face the rigid arm II is provided with an integral or other projection Il adapted to co-operate with either of two recesses I8 formed in the inner surface of the plate I.

When the arm II is in the locking position as shown in Figure 3, it is retained therein by reason of the fact that the resilient plate I2 presses the projection I1 into one of the recesses I8, but the arm II can be moved into the alternative position shown in Figure 2 by manipulating the stud or pin I6, the projection ll then being moved into the other recess I8.

In passing from one position to the other, the spring 12 is partially straightened whilst the arm II rocks about the left-hand end as seen in Figure 5, in order to allow the projection I! to leave and enter the recesses I8. This limited rocking motion is permitted by the clearance in the holes in the plate II whilst the clearance hole in the plate I2 for the passage of the pin I3 permits the slight straightening of the spring.

What I claim then is:-

1. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a movable pawl adapted for co-operation with said member to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging frictionally with and being adapted to move said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and operable from theexterior of said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

2. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on: its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a projection on said member, stops on said supporting plate for cooperation with said projection to limit rotatiorr'of said latch spindle, a movable pawl, a part on said pawl adapted for cooperation with said projection to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging frictionally with and being adapted to move said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and operable from the exterior of said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

3. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a projection on said member, a *movable pawl, a part on said pawl adapted for cooperation with said projection to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging frictionally with and being adapted to move said pawl, a pivot pin on said supporting plate, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said pivot pin,an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

4. Latch operating mechanism including a slotted supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a movable pawl having a hole therethrough and adapted for cooperation with said member to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging. said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said. supporting plate, an operating pin for operating said pawl, said pin being secured to said resilient plate and extending through said 'hole in said pawl and through said slot in said supporting plate, an operating portion on the outer end of said pin, said portion covering the slot in said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position. r

5. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotate ably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with thelatch spindle,'a projection on said member, a movable pawl, a part on said pawl adapted for cooperation with said projection to lock said} latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating pin for operating said pawl, said pin being secured to said resilient plate and extending through a hole insaid pawl and through a slot in said supporting plate, an operating portion on the outer end of said pin, said portion covering the slotv in said supporting plate and means 'for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position. f

6. Latch operating mechanism including a slotted supporting plate,.a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for'movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the plate, an operating portion on the outer end of said pin, said portion covering the slot in said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

'7. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a bearing portion on said supporting plate, a latch spindle, a cylindrical part on said latch spindle engaging rotatably in said bearing portion, an operating knob on said cylindrical part on the exterior of said supporting plate,'a member mounted on said cylindrical part on the interior of said supporting plate, said member being rotatable with the latch spindle, a movable pawl adapted for cooperation with said member to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and operable from the exterior of said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

8. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a bearing portion on said supporting plate, a latch spindle, a cylindrical part on said latch spindle engaging rotatably in said bearing portion, an operating knob on said cylindrical part on the exterior of said supporting plate, a

member mounted on said cylindrical part on the interior of said supporting plate, said member bepawl adapted for cooperation with said projec tion to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting'plate, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and operable from the exterior of said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

9. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a bearing portion on said supporting plate, a latch spindle, a cylindrical part on said latch spindle engaging rotatably in said bearing portion, an operating knob on said cylindrical part on the exterior of said supporting plate, a member mounted on said cylindrical part on the interior of said supporting plate, said member being rotatable with the latch spindle, a projection on said membeigstops on said supporting plate for cooperation with said projection to limit rotation of said latch spindle, a movable .pawl, a part on said pawl adapted for co operation with said projection to lock said latch spindle against rotation,.a resilient plate engaging said pawl, a' pivot' pin on, said; supporting plate, said pawl and said resilient platev beingbothpivotally mounted on said pivot pin,-an operating member attached;

supporting plate, a latch spindle, a cylindrical part on said latch spindle engaging rotatably in said bearing portion, an operating knob on said cylindrical part on the exterior of said supporting plate, a member mounted on said cylindrical part on the interior of said supporting plate, said member being rotatable with the latch spindle, a projection on said member, a movable pawl having a hole therethrough, a part on said pawl adapted for co-operation with said projection to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, a pivot pin on said supporting plate, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, an operating pin for operating said pawl, said pin being secured to said resilient plate and extending through said hole in said pawl and through said slot in said supporting plate, an operating portion on the outer end of said pin, said portion covering the slot in said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position.

ll. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a movable pawl adapted for cooperation with said member to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and operable from the exterior of said supporting, plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position, said means including at adjacent faces of said supporting plate and said pawl a projection on one of the faces and operating recesses in the other of said faces, said resilient plate urging said projection into engagement with one or another of said recesses but permitting said pawl to be turned on its pivot.

12. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle'mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a projection on said member, stops on said supporting plate for co-operation with said projection to limit rotation of said latch spindle, a movable pawl, a part on said pawl adapted for co-opcration with said projection to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and operable from the exterior of said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position, said means including at adjacent faces of said supporting plate and said pawl a projection on one of the faces and co-operating recesses in the other of said faces, said resilient plate urging said projection into engagement with one or another of said recesses but permitting said pawl to be turned on its pivot.

13. Latch operating mechanism including a supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a projection on said member, a movable pawl, a part on said pawl adapted for co-operation with said projection to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, a pivot pin on said supporting plate, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, an operating member for moving said pawl, said member being attached to said resilient plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position, said means including at adjacent faces of said supporting plate and said pawl a projection on one of the faces and co-operating recesses in the other of said faces, said resilient plate urging said projection into engagement with one or another of said recesses but permitting said pawl to be turned on its pivot.

14. Latch operating mechanism including a slotted supporting plate, a latch spindle mounted rotatably in said supporting plate for movement on its own axis, a member rotatable with the latch spindle, a movable pawl having a hole therethrough and adapted for co-operation with said member to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating pin for operating said pawl, said pin being secured to said resilient plate and extending through said hole in said pawl and through said slot in said supporting plate, an operating portion on the outer end of said pin, said portion covering the slot in said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position, said means including at adjacent faces of said supporting plate and said pawl a projection on one of the faces and co-operating recesses in the other of said faces, said resilient plate urging said projection into engagement with one or another of said recesses but permitting said pawl to be turned on its pivot.

15. Latch operating mechanism including a slotted supporting plate, a bearing portion on said supporting plate, a latch spindle, a cylindrical part on said latch spindle engaging rotatably in said bearing portion, an operating knob on said cylindrical part on the exterior of said supporting plate, a member mounted on said cylindrical part on the interior of said supporting plate, said member being rotatable with the latch spindle, a movable pawl having a hole therethrough and adapted for co-operation with said member to lock said latch spindle against rotation, a resilient plate engaging said pawl, said pawl and said resilient plate being both pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, an operating pin for operating said pawl, said pin being secured to said resilient plate and extending through said hole in said pawl and through said slot in said supporting plate, an operating portion on the outer end of said pin, said portion covering the slot in said supporting plate and means for retaining said pawl in an adjusted position, said means including at adjacent faces of said supporting plate and said pawl a projection on one of the faces and co-operating recesses in the other of said faces, said resilient plate urging said projection into engagement with one or another of said recesses but permitting said pawl to be turned on its pivot.

JAMES LONSDALE OLDHAM. 

